U.S. patent application number 14/105926 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for electronic cigarette with dual atomizer cartridge interface.
The applicant listed for this patent is Kyle D. Newton. Invention is credited to Kyle D. Newton.
Application Number | 20150164141 14/105926 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53366880 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150164141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Newton; Kyle D. |
June 18, 2015 |
Electronic Cigarette with Dual Atomizer Cartridge Interface
Abstract
An electronic cigarette with plural of atomizing assembly sizes.
A battery assembly contains a battery and control circuit, with a
first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end, and a
second mechanical connector disposed adjacent to the first
connector. The electronic cigarette also has a small atomizer
assembly with a mouthpiece, an atomizer, and a liquid reservoir. A
small mechanical connector is designed to engage the second
mechanical connector of the battery assembly. The assembly includes
a connector shroud that has a shroud mechanical connector, and that
tapers from a first outer periphery, which corresponds to the
elongated housing size of the battery assembly, to a second outer
periphery, which corresponds to the small atomizer assembly. When
assembled, the mouthpiece of the small atomizing assembly is
exposed beyond the second end of the connector shroud.
Inventors: |
Newton; Kyle D.;
(Colleyville, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Newton; Kyle D. |
Colleyville |
TX |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53366880 |
Appl. No.: |
14/105926 |
Filed: |
December 13, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/329 ;
392/386; 429/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/10 20130101;
H01M 2/1055 20130101; A24F 47/008 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; H01M 10/42 20060101 H01M010/42; A61L 9/03 20060101
A61L009/03; H01M 2/10 20060101 H01M002/10 |
Claims
1. A battery assembly for an electronic cigarette for use in
combination with removably connected atomizer assemblies,
comprising: an elongated housing that contains a battery and a
control circuit; a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to
a first end of said elongated housing, and a second mechanical
connector disposed adjacent to said first mechanical connector.
2. The battery assembly of claim 1, for use in combination with a
large atomizer assembly and a small atomizer assembly, and wherein:
said first mechanical connector is adapted to engage the large
atomizer assembly, and said second mechanical connector is adapted
to engage the small atomizer assembly.
3. The battery assembly of claim 2, and wherein: said first
mechanical connector and said second mechanical connector can not
be simultaneously utilized to connect the larger atomizer assembly
and the smaller atomizer assembly.
4. The battery assembly of claim 1, and further comprising: a large
atomizer assembly for an electronic cigarette having an atomizer
and a liquid reservoir disposed therein, and having a large
mechanical connector adapted to engage said first mechanical
connector of said battery assembly, thereby combined to provide a
complete electronic cigarette assembly.
5. The battery assembly of claim 1, and further comprising: a small
atomizer assembly having a mouthpiece, and having an atomizer and a
liquid reservoir disposed therein, and having a small mechanical
connector adapted to engage said second mechanical connector of
said battery assembly.
6. The battery assembly of claim 5, and further comprising: a
connector shroud having a shroud mechanical connector at an open
first end and an open second end, said shroud configure to taper
from a first outer periphery at said open first end, which
corresponds to said elongated housing size of said battery
assembly, to a second outer periphery at said second end, which
corresponds to said small atomizer assembly, and wherein said
mouthpiece of said small atomizing assembly is exposed beyond said
second end of said connector shroud while said small atomizer
assembly and said connector shroud are engaged with said battery
assembly.
7. The battery assembly of claim 1, and wherein: said first
mechanical connector and said second mechanical connector are
concentric.
8. The battery assembly of claim 7, and wherein: said first
mechanical connector is a threaded connector and said second
mechanical connector is a threaded connector.
9. The battery assembly of claim 8, and wherein: said first
mechanical connector employs external threads and said second
mechanical connector employs internal threads.
10. The battery assembly of claim 7, and wherein: said first
mechanical connector is a friction fit connector and said second
mechanical connector is a threaded connector.
11. The battery assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an
electrical interface coupled to said control circuit, and wherein
said electrical interface is utilized in conjunction with both of
said first mechanical connector and said second mechanical
connector.
12. The battery assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a
pneumatic interface coupled to said elongated housing, and wherein
said pneumatic interface is utilized in conjunction with both of
said first mechanical connector and said second mechanical
connector.
13. An electronic cigarette assembly that functions with plural
sizes of atomizing assemblies, comprising: a battery assembly
having an elongated housing that contains a battery and a control
circuit, and having a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent
to a first end of said elongated housing, and having a second
mechanical connector disposed adjacent to said first connector; a
small atomizer assembly having a mouthpiece, and having an atomizer
and a liquid reservoir disposed therein, and having a small
mechanical connector adapted to engage said second mechanical
connector of said battery assembly; a connector shroud having a
shroud mechanical connector at an open first end and an open second
end, said shroud configure to taper from a first outer periphery at
said open first end, which corresponds to said elongated housing
size of said battery assembly, to a second outer periphery at said
second end, which corresponds to said small atomizer assembly, and
wherein said mouthpiece of said small atomizing assembly is exposed
beyond said second end of said connector shroud while said small
atomizer assembly and said connector shroud are engaged with said
battery assembly.
14. The electronic cigarette assembly of claim 13, and wherein:
said battery assembly is cylindrical; said small atomizer is
cylindrical, and said connector shroud is conical.
15. The electronic cigarette assembly of claim 13, and further
comprising: an electrical interface for coupling said control
circuit to said atomizer, and wherein said electrical interface is
utilized in conjunction with both of said first mechanical
connector and said second mechanical connector.
16. The electronic cigarette assembly of claim 13, and further
comprising: a pneumatic interface for coupling said elongated
housing to said mouthpiece, and wherein said pneumatic interface is
utilized in conjunction with both of said first mechanical
connector and said second mechanical connector.
17. The electronic cigarette assembly of claim 13, and wherein:
said first mechanical connector and said second mechanical
connector are concentric.
18. The electronic cigarette assembly of claim 13, and wherein:
said first mechanical connector is a threaded connector and said
second mechanical connector is a threaded connector.
19. The electronic cigarette assembly of claim 18, and wherein:
said first mechanical connector employs external threads that
engage said shroud connector, and wherein said second mechanical
connector employs internal threads that engage said small
mechanical connector.
20. A connector shroud for an electronic cigarette assembly that
includes a battery assembly, having an elongated housing that
contains a battery and a control circuit, and having a first
mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end of the
elongated housing, and having a second mechanical connector
disposed adjacent to the first connector, the electronic cigarette
also including small atomizer assembly, having an atomizer and a
liquid reservoir disposed therein, and having a small mechanical
connector adapted to engage the second mechanical connector of the
battery assembly, said connector shroud comprising: a tubular
shroud structure; a shroud mechanical connector at an open first
end of said tubular shroud structure; an open second end of said
tubular shroud structure, and wherein said tubular shroud structure
tapers from a first outer periphery at said open first end, which
corresponds to the housing of the battery assembly, to a second
outer periphery at said second end, which corresponds to the small
atomizer assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to electronic cigarettes. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic
cigarette that employs dual interfaces between a battery assembly
and an atomizer cartridge.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Electronic cigarettes have become increasingly popular in
recent years. Electronic cigarettes emulate tobacco cigarettes, but
without the combustion of tobacco during use. Rather than burning
tobacco, a liquid is atomized within the electronic cigarette,
which produces a vapor that emulates the smoke produced in a
tobacco cigarette. The liquid may contain flavoring agents such as
tobacco flavor, menthol, fruits, or other flavors to enhance the
"smoking" experience of the electronic cigarette. The atomizing
liquid is a consumable component in an electronic cigarette, while
the housing, battery, and related circuitry in the electronic
cigarette are suitable for repeated use. For this reason, as well
as the desire of users to enjoy various flavors of atomizing
liquids, suppliers of electronic cigarettes commonly divide the
electronic cigarette into two components, referred to as a battery
assembly and an atomizer assembly. The atomizer assembly may be a
disposable item. The battery assembly houses the battery and
related circuitry, while the atomizer assembly houses the atomizing
liquid, the atomizer itself, and certain pneumatic passages that
route the atomized vapor to a mouthpiece.
[0005] Most of the early electronic cigarette designs emulated the
appearance and function of tobacco cigarettes, both in size and
proportions, making them appear familiar to tobacco users. However,
the relatively small proportions of these electronic cigarettes
limited the capacity of the battery power reserve, and also limited
the volume of atomizing liquid that could be stored in the atomizer
assembly. Hereinafter, these components will be referred to as
small, or smaller, in reference to similar larger components that
were later developed. Unsurprisingly, electronic cigarette users
sought products that overcame these limitations. Users sought
electronic cigarettes with extended life of both the battery power
reserve and the vaporizing liquid, which has led to larger sized
battery assemblies and larger sized atomizer assemblies. However,
not all users desire to utilize the larger battery assemblies and
atomizer assemblies, so there remains a demand for the smaller
components. This has resulted in an environment where users my
utilize both larger and smaller electronic cigarette components,
which are not interchangeable. Thus, it can be appreciated that
there is a need in the art for an electronic cigarette design that
addresses the differences in design, particularly with respect to
differing sizes of electronic cigarette components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The need in the art is addressed by the apparatus of the
present invention. The present disclosure teaches a battery
assembly for an electronic cigarette for use in combination with
removably connected atomizer assemblies. The battery assembly
includes an elongated housing that contains a battery and a control
circuit, a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first
end of the elongated housing, and a second mechanical connector
disposed adjacent to the first mechanical connector.
[0007] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, which is
useful in combination with a large atomizer assembly and a small
atomizer assembly, the first mechanical connector is adapted to
engage the large atomizer assembly, and the second mechanical
connector is adapted to engage the small atomizer assembly. In a
refinement to this embodiment, the first mechanical connector and
the second mechanical connector can not be simultaneously utilized
to connect the larger atomizer assembly and the smaller atomizer
assembly.
[0008] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further
includes a large atomizer assembly for an electronic cigarette,
which includes an atomizer and a liquid reservoir therein, and that
has a large mechanical connector designed to engage the first
mechanical connector of the battery assembly, which are combined to
provide a complete electronic cigarette assembly.
[0009] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further
includes a small atomizer assembly that has a mouthpiece, and that
has an atomizer and a liquid reservoir inside, and that has a small
mechanical connector designed to engage the second mechanical
connector of the battery assembly. In a refinement to this
embodiment, the assembly further includes a connector shroud with a
shroud mechanical connector at an open first end and an open second
end, where the shroud is configure to taper from a first outer
periphery at the open first end, which corresponds to the elongated
housing size of the battery assembly, to a second outer periphery
at the second end, which corresponds to the small atomizer
assembly. Further, the mouthpiece of the small atomizing assembly
is exposed beyond the second end of the connector shroud while the
small atomizer assembly and the connector shroud are connected to
the battery assembly.
[0010] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the
first mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector are
concentric. In a refinement to this embodiment, the first
mechanical connector is a threaded connector and the second
mechanical connector is a threaded connector. In another
refinement, the first mechanical connector employs external threads
and the second mechanical connector employs internal threads. In
yet another refinement, the first mechanical connector is a
friction fit connector and the second mechanical connector is a
threaded connector.
[0011] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further
includes an electrical interface coupled to the control circuit,
and, the electrical interface is utilized in conjunction with both
of the first mechanical connector and the second mechanical
connector. In another specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly
further includes a pneumatic interface coupled to the elongated
housing, and the pneumatic interface is utilized in conjunction
with both of the first mechanical connector and the second
mechanical connector.
[0012] The present disclosure also teaches an electronic cigarette
assembly that functions with plural sizes of atomizing assemblies.
The embodiment includes a battery assembly that has an elongated
housing that contains a battery and a control circuit, and that has
a first mechanical connector disposed adjacent to a first end of
the elongated housing, and a second mechanical connector disposed
adjacent to the first connector. The assembly also has a small
atomizer assembly with a mouthpiece, an atomizer and a liquid
reservoir disposed inside. It also has a small mechanical connector
designed to engage the second mechanical connector of the battery
assembly. In addition, the assembly includes a connector shroud
that has a shroud mechanical connector at an open first end and an
open second end, the shroud is configured to taper from a first
outer periphery at the open first end, which corresponds to the
elongated housing size of the battery assembly, to a second outer
periphery at the second end, which corresponds to the small
atomizer assembly. When assembled, the mouthpiece of the small
atomizing assembly is exposed beyond the second end of the
connector shroud.
[0013] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the
battery assembly and the small atomizer are cylindrical, and the
connector shroud is conical. In another specific embodiment, the
foregoing assembly further includes an electrical interface for
coupling the control circuit to the atomizer, where the electrical
interface is utilized in conjunction with both of the first
mechanical connector and the second mechanical connector.
[0014] In a specific embodiment, the foregoing assembly further
includes a pneumatic interface for coupling the elongated housing
to the mouthpiece, where the pneumatic interface is utilized in
conjunction with both of the first mechanical connector and the
second mechanical connector. In another specific embodiment of the
foregoing assembly, the first mechanical connector and the second
mechanical connector are concentric.
[0015] In a specific embodiment of the foregoing assembly, the
first mechanical connector is a threaded connector and the second
mechanical connector is a threaded connector. In a refinement to
this embodiment, the first mechanical connector employs external
threads that engage the shroud connector, and the second mechanical
connector employs internal threads that engage the small mechanical
connector.
[0016] The present disclosure also teaches a connector shroud for
an electronic cigarette assembly that includes a battery assembly,
that has an elongated housing that contains a battery and a control
circuit, and that has a first mechanical connector disposed
adjacent to a first end of the elongated housing, and that has a
second mechanical connector disposed adjacent to the first
connector. The electronic cigarette also including small atomizer
assembly that has an atomizer and a liquid reservoir disposed
inside, and that has a small mechanical connector designed to
engage the second mechanical connector of the battery assembly. The
connector shroud includes a tubular shroud structure that has a
shroud mechanical connector at an open first end, and an open
second end. The tubular shroud structure tapers from a first outer
periphery at the open first end, which corresponds to the housing
of the battery assembly, to a second outer periphery at the second
end, which corresponds to the small atomizer assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a drawing of several electronic cigarette
components according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a side view drawing of an assembled electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a disassembled side view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side view drawing of an assembled electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a disassembled side view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a disassembled side view drawing of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIGS. 9A and 9B are a section view drawing and an end view
drawing, respectively, an electronic cigarette battery assembly
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C are a section view drawing, and end
cap drawing, and an end view drawing, respectively, of an
electronic cigarette battery housing assembly according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 11A and 11B are a section view drawing and an end view
drawing, respectively, of an electronic cigarette large atomizing
cartridge according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a section view drawing of a disassembled
electronic cigarette atomizing cartridge and battery housing
assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a disassembled section view drawing of a small
atomizer and a large battery assembly of an electronic cigarette
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a section view drawing of an electronic cigarette
shroud according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 15 is an assembled section view drawing of a small
atomizer, a large battery assembly and shroud of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a disassembled section view drawing of a small
atomizer and larger battery assembly of an electronic cigarette
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a section view drawing of an electronic cigarette
shroud according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 18 is an assembled section view drawing of a small
atomizer, large battery assembly and shroud of an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now
be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to
disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.
[0036] While the present invention is described herein with
reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications,
it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto.
Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings
provided herein will recognize additional modifications,
applications, and embodiments within the scope hereof and
additional fields in which the present invention would be of
significant utility.
[0037] In considering the detailed embodiments of the present
invention, it will be observed that the present invention resides
primarily in combinations of steps to accomplish various methods or
components to form various apparatus and systems. Accordingly, the
apparatus and system components and method steps have been
represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the
drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the present invention so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the disclosures
contained herein.
[0038] In this disclosure, relational terms such as first and
second, top and bottom, upper and lower, and the like may be used
solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or
action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms
"comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process,
method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements
does not include only those elements but may include other elements
not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article,
or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises a" does not,
without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional
identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus
that comprises the element.
[0039] The illustrative embodiments presented herein disclose
electronic cigarette assemblies and components that enable users to
selectively arrange small and large atomizing assemblies with small
and large battery assemblies. A shroud is also disclosed, which is
useful to both conceal an exposed, and unused, interface connector,
as well as presenting a smooth and graceful exterior surface of the
assembled electronic cigarette. Note that the small battery
assembly is not discussed at length in this disclosure, nor
presented in the drawing figures, because it is primarily suitable
for use only with the small atomizer assembly due to the mechanical
connector configuration.
[0040] Reference is directed to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view
drawing of an electronic cigarette 2 according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention. The electronic cigarette 2 is
of the large variety, and includes a large battery assembly 6
connected to a large atomizer assembly 8, which includes a
mouthpiece 13 extending from one end. This is the type of
electronic cigarette sought be users who preferred the increase
battery capacity and increased atomizing liquid storage afforded by
the use of larger components.
[0041] Reference is directed to FIG. 2, which is a perspective view
drawing of an electronic cigarette 4 according to an illustrative
embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment presents an
assembled electronic cigarette 4 where a larger battery assembly 6
is connected to a small atomizer assembly 10, so that the user can
integrate components from two differing size and capacity products.
The atomizer assembly 10 includes a mouthpiece 14, which is
presented at the exposed end of the small atomizer assembly 10.
Note that a connector shroud 12 is also connected, and serves the
functions of concealing a larger connector that is used to attach a
large atomizer assembly (not shown), and also to provide a clean
and graceful appearance of the assembled electronic cigarette
4.
[0042] Reference is directed to FIG. 3, which is a drawing of
several electronic cigarette components according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These components
include larger and smaller electronic cigarettes as follows. The
large battery assembly 6 includes dual connectors, including a
first, large, connector 16, and a second, small, connector 18. The
larger atomizer assembly 8 includes a mouthpiece 13 at one end and
a larger connector 24 at the other end. Note that the large
connector 24 on the large atomizer assembly 8 connects to the first
connector 16 on the battery assembly 6. These two assemblies
combine to yield the electronic cigarette 2 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 also
presents a small atomizer assembly 10, which includes a mouthpiece
14 at a first end and a small connector 30 at a second end. Note
that the small connector 30 connects to the second connector 18 on
the large battery assembly 6. This small connector 30 would also
connect to a small battery, which is not illustrated or presented
in this disclosure. FIG. 3 also presents a connector shroud 12,
which has a shroud connector 36 at one end. The shroud connector 36
is adapted to connect to the first connector 16 on the large
battery assembly 6.
[0043] Reference is directed to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which are a side
view drawing of an assembled larger electronic cigarette 2 and a
disassembled side view drawing of a large electronic cigarette,
respectively, according to an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 4 shows the external appearance when a
large battery assembly 6 is connected to a large atomizer assembly
8, including the mouthpiece 13 at the distal end of the larger
atomizer assembly 8. FIG. 5 shows the components disassembled,
including the large battery assembly 6 and larger atomizer assembly
8. Note that the large battery assembly 6 includes two connectors
at one end, which include a first connector 16 and a second
connected 18, which are different in size. The large atomizer
assembly 6 includes a large connector 24 at one end, and this large
connector 24 is designed to engage the first connector 16 on the
large battery assembly 6. Note that in this embodiment, the second
connector 18 on the larger battery assembly 6 is unused, but is
concealed from view while these components are connected.
[0044] Reference is directed to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, which
are a side view drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette 4, a
side view drawing of a partially disassembled electronic cigarette,
and a disassembled side view drawings of an electronic cigarette,
respectively, according to an illustrative embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a connected large battery
assembly 6, small atomizer assembly 10, and connector shroud 12,
which result in an assembled electronic cigarette 4. A mouthpiece
14 is presented at the distal end of the small atomizer assembly
10, and this extends beyond the end of the connector shroud 12. The
connection between the large battery assembly 6 and the connector
shroud 12 is accomplished with the first connector 16 on the larger
battery assembly 6 and a shroud connector 36 on the connector
shroud 12. This is more clearly pictured in FIG. 7, where the
connector shroud 12 has been removed from the large battery
assembly 6.
[0045] In FIG. 7, the exposed first connector 16 on the large
battery assembly 6 can be seen. The connector shroud 12 has a
shroud connector 36, which engages the first connector 16. Note
that the distal end 38 of the connector shroud 12 is open to allow
clearance for the small atomizer assembly 10. The small atomizer
assembly 10 is connected to the second connector 18 of the large
battery assembly 6 as it engages the small connector 30 on the
small atomizer assembly 10. This arrangement is more plainly
visible in FIG. 8, where all of these connectors 16, 18, and 30 are
exposed.
[0046] Reference is directed to FIGS. 9A and 9B, which are a
section view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, an
electronic cigarette battery assembly 6 according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Reference is also
directed to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, which are a section view
drawing, and end cap drawing, and an end view drawing,
respectively, of an electronic cigarette battery assembly according
to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These
figures presents further details, including internal structure and
components of the large battery assembly 6. The first connector 16
is an external machine tread at one end of the large battery
assembly 6. The second connector 18 is an internal machine thread
that is concentric with the first connector 16. At the center of
the connector end is central electric contact terminal 20, which
has a pneumatic port 22 formed there through. A circuit interface
40 connects two conductors, one to the central electrical contact
20 and one to the connectors 16, 18. In this manner, the central
electrical contact terminal 20 is shared with both the small and
large connectors to provide a common electrical interface. So too
is the pneumatic port 22. The purpose of the pneumatic port 22 is
to couple the negative pressure induced when the user draws vapor
to a pneumatic sensor 44 located in the large battery assembly 6.
The pneumatic sensor 44 detects the draw, which causes a control
circuit 42 to activate the atomizer electric power. The electric
power is provided by an internal rechargeable storage battery 9.
The large battery assembly 6 also includes user interface
components, which include a USB port 48, and indicator lamp 50, and
a push button actuator 50. A press-on end cap 7 conceals the user
interface components when they are not in use.
[0047] Reference is directed to FIGS. 11A and 11B, which are a
section view drawing and an end view drawing, respectively, of an
electronic cigarette large atomizing cartridge 8 according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The large
atomizing cartridge 8 includes a mouthpiece 13, which presents a
comfortable profile for drawing vapor there from. An internal
chimney 62 couples the mouthpiece 13 to an atomizing chamber 56
within the large atomizer assembly 8. An atomizer 58 is disposed
within the atomizing chamber 56, and a bundle of absorbent fibers
60 enables atomizing liquid (not shown) to flow by capillary action
from a liquid storage chamber 64 to the atomizer 58. The large
connector 24 is an internal machine thread at the end of the large
atomizer assembly 8. Central to the large connector 24 is an
electrical contact terminal 26, which as a pneumatic port 28 formed
there through. The atomizer 58 is a coil of nickel-chromium wire
that is electrically bonded to both the electrical contact terminal
26 and the large connector 24. The pneumatic port serves as the
entry point for air to enter the atomizing chamber 56, for flow out
through the chimney 62 and mouthpiece 13.
[0048] Reference is directed to FIG. 12, which is a section view
drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette large atomizing
assembly 8 and large battery assembly 6 assembly according to an
illustrative embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows
the connections between these two sub-assemblies. Note that the
first connector 16 of the larger battery assembly 6 and the large
connector 24 of the large atomizer assembly are engaged together
16/24. This connection facilitates the electrical connection of the
two central contact terminals 20/26, respectively, and also
facilitates the pneumatic port coupling 22/28. Also, note that the
second connector 18 of the large battery assembly 6 is unused in
this connection arrangement.
[0049] Reference is directed to FIG. 13, FIG. 14, and FIG. 15,
which are a disassembled section view drawing of a small atomizer
assembly 10 and large battery assembly 6, a cross section view of a
connector shroud 12, and an cross section view of these components
assembled together, respectively, for an electronic cigarette
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.
The small atomizing assembly 10 includes a mouthpiece 14, which
enables drawing vapor there from. An internal chimney 66 couples
the mouthpiece 14 to an atomizing chamber 70 within the small
atomizer assembly 10. An atomizer 72 is disposed within the
atomizing chamber 70, and a bundle of absorbent fibers 74 enables
atomizing liquid (not shown) to flow by capillary action from a
liquid storage chamber 68 to the atomizer 72. The small connector
30 is an external machine thread at the end of the small atomizer
assembly 10. Central to the small connector is an electrical
contact terminal 32, which as a pneumatic port 34 formed there
through. The atomizer 72 is a coil of nickel-chromium wire that is
electrically bonded to both the electrical contact terminal 32 and
the small connector 30. The pneumatic port 34 serves as the entry
point for air to enter the atomizing chamber 70, for flow out
through the chimney 66 and mouthpiece 14.
[0050] FIG. 14 is a cross section view of a connector shroud 12,
which is tapered and hollow, open at both ends. A shroud connector
36, which is an internal machine thread, is located at one end of
the connector shroud 12. The size of the connector shroud is
selected to match the external size of the larger battery assembly
6 at the connector 36 end, and the size of the small atomizer
assembly 10 at the other end. Note that in this illustrative
embodiment all of the components have circular cross sections.
However, various other cross sectional shapes could be employed as
well, including ovals, ellipses, polygons, as well as irregular
shapes.
[0051] Reference is directed to FIG. 15, which is a section view
drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette small atomizing
assembly 10, a connector shroud 12, and large battery assembly 6
assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. This figure shows the connections between these three
sub-assemblies. Note that the second connector 18 of the larger
battery assembly 6 and the small connector 30 of the small atomizer
assembly 10 are engaged together 18/30. This connection facilitates
the electrical connection of the two central contact terminals
20/32, respectively, and also facilitates the pneumatic port
coupling 22/34. Also, note that the first connector 16 of the large
battery assembly 6 is connected to the shroud connector 36 of the
connector shroud 12, labeled as 18/30.
[0052] Reference is directed to FIG. 16, FIG. 17, and FIG. 18,
which are a disassembled section view drawing of a small atomizer
assembly 10 and large battery assembly 80, a cross section view of
a connector shroud 74, and an cross section view of these
components assembled together, respectively, for an electronic
cigarette according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, a friction based press-fit
connection is made between the large battery assembly 80 and the
connector shroud 74. In particular a polymeric band 86 is disposed
to provide the first connector function. The small atomizing
assembly 10 includes a mouthpiece 14, which enables drawing vapor
there from. An internal chimney 66 couples the mouthpiece 14 to an
atomizing chamber 70 within the small atomizer assembly 10. An
atomizer 72 is disposed within the atomizing chamber 70, and a
bundle of absorbent fibers 74 enables atomizing liquid (not shown)
to flow by capillary action from a liquid storage chamber 68 to the
atomizer 72. The small connector 30 is an external machine thread
at the end of the small atomizer assembly 10. Central to the small
connector is an electrical contact terminal 32, which as a
pneumatic port 34 formed there through. The atomizer 72 is a coil
of nickel-chromium wire that is electrically bonded to both the
electrical contact terminal 32 and the small connector 30. The
pneumatic port 34 serves as the entry point for air to enter the
atomizing chamber 70, for flow out through the chimney 66 and
mouthpiece 14.
[0053] FIG. 17 is a cross section view of a connector shroud 74,
which is tapered and hollow, open at both ends. A shroud connector
74 is a smooth interior surface 76, and is located at one end of
the connector shroud 74. The size of the connector shroud is
selected to match the external size of the larger battery assembly
80 at the connector 76 end, and the size of the small atomizer
assembly 10 at the other end.
[0054] Reference is directed to FIG. 18, which is a section view
drawing of an assembled electronic cigarette small atomizing
assembly 10, a connector shroud 74, and large battery assembly 80
assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention. This figure shows the connections between these three
sub-assemblies. Note that the second connector 84 of the larger
battery assembly 80 and the small connector 30 of the small
atomizer assembly 10 are engaged together 84/30. This connection
facilitates the electrical connection of the two central contact
terminals 32/88, respectively, and also facilitates the pneumatic
port coupling 34/90. Also, note that the first connector 86 of the
large battery assembly 80 is connected to the shroud connector 76
of the connector shroud 74, labeled as 34/90. A press-fit
connection is employed.
[0055] Thus, the present invention has been described herein with
reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application.
Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present
teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and
embodiments within the scope thereof.
[0056] It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any
and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the
scope of the present invention.
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